I love discovering new products and experiences! Especially if they're local.

Our goal is to highlight people who are currently adding value to our cities for all to enjoy! Watching local dreamers' ideas come alive excites me. There's just something special about following the journey and watching it truly take shape. Part of the fun, and-for City:SHAPERS-the responsibility, is helping them keep their dreams growing. So, for me, the quest to discover and support is an all-consuming flame.

With that said, here's what I've been enjoying this week...

1) The Perfect Dinner Party Game:

Oh my gosh! Last weekend at a Christmas party, I was introduced to one of the coolest games I've played in years! It's called Quiplash. I just love games that bring people together, and this one does just that. All you need is a TV and cell phones. I believe it's only $10. If you're coming over to my house in the next several months, be prepared to play!

2) Amazing Beef Jerky!!!

I'm a big beef jerky fan. During my annual Christmas trek to First Monday in Canton, (sidenote...I truly just go for the food) I stumbled across SAAP LAO KITCHEN Laotian-Style Beef Jerky. This stuff is flat out spicy and delicious. SAAP is based out of Dallas and the owners are great people. The best part is they make their beef jerky fresh weekly! It's truly craft beef jerky!!! This is the perfect stocking stuffer for any dude!

3) Amazing Coffee!

Our savvy Baristas at BREWED are so great at finding micro-roasters around the country to keep our selection interesting.

This week I picked up a bag of Ethiopian coffee from Evocation, a roaster in Amarillo. This bag did not disappoint! Anything with tasting notes of citrus and strawberry has to be yummy. You can pick up unique bags of coffee from around the country at BREWED weekly.

4) Another Dude Candle

As I mentioned last week, I love candles as long as they smell like leather, bourbon or something clean. A few days ago, I found my all-time favorite candle at The 4eleven shops! Society Candle Shop in Oak Cliff created a line called The Texas Collection, and the Fort Worth candle is my fave. I mean, who doesn't love a candle that smells like Burnished Leather, Perennial Blossoms, and Fresh Cut Wildflowers. Dude candle all the way!!!

Please keep me in mind if you're gathering up people to play some Quiplash! I might have to bring my favorite candle though!

Have a great weekend.

P.S. Be on the lookout for lots of fun adventures from City:SHAPERS In 2018! We can't wait to share them with you.

My life imploded right before my very eyes

It's been over two years now since City:SHAPERS was truly making an impact in our community.

Things seemed to be going so well. I was doing what I was made to do: helping others, basically stewarding peoples dreams. I was truly in my element, thriving!

City:SHAPERS was gaining momentum, helping people in Fort Worth "Dream Big" and find new ways to add value to our city.

We hosted Pop-Up Socials, created events like BREWED Fest, and were pushing out lots of inspiring stories of Local Heroes. All with the desire to inspire and bring others together to collaborate for the common good of the city.

The idea behind City:SHAPERS emerged out of my own struggle as an entrepreneur. There have been many days where I’ve felt all alone and wondered if I could keep going. Being an entrepreneur isn’t easy because you seem to always be charting new ground. Honestly, some days I just want to curl up in a ball, quit, and find a job that allows me to zone out and become numb. However, the joy of blending your passion and vocation together to make a living has been well worth fighting for.

The heart behind City:SHAPERS is simply to help those who are stuck get unstuck and to begin to thrive by using their talents and gifts to serve others for the common good of all. We like to call these folks, "Local Heroes." They're living in their "sweet spot."

What happened next was unexpected.

One minute I was helping people sort through their dreams and the next minute I found myself in the middle of a painful divorce. I wanted so badly to help others, but honestly I had nothing to give.

My "City:SHAPING" was simply to take care of my kids and my soul.

There was shame, guilt and lots of "what if's" surrounding me daily. I found myself stuck, numb and just going through the motions. I wondered if the cloud would ever subside.

During this season, I had several "Local Heroes" surround me often, reminding me of my gifts and pointing out every time they saw them on display.

During my dark days, I had forgotten; but they were there to remind me and point them out, just as I used to do for others. It was so refreshing hearing them take the time to tell others what they saw in me. It was like cool, running water on dry bones.

We all need guides like this in life. People who will encourage you. Not cheesy general compliments, but intentional praise. Reminders. People who will pace with you and fight to remind you of your beauty.

Thanks to the guides in my life and the God that I follow, I have found my way again. I was cared for when I was hurting and stuck. I was reminded that even when times are tough there is a King who loves you, forgives you, believes in you, AND who has shaped you to contribute and "add value" to others.

Today, I am beaming with joy, restored and ready to help others. My past has paved the way for a new chapter. One that has wisdom from the past and a hope for the future.

I am proud to announce City:SHAPERS is BACK!

Our goal is simply to help others!

Our mission is to: HELP DREAMS THRIVE.

We will be spending our time Encouraging, Equipping and Building a Healthy Community of Dreamers all working together to make our city and world a better place.

Wow what a place! What a vision!

A few days ago, I had the privilege of visiting the state of the art soon to be open True Worth Place.

HARD HAT SELFIES!

Jeff Williams and I, the genius behind the ground breaking new restaurant concept Taste Project , walked through this amazing space, with mouths wide open most of the way, while our tour guide Dr. James Petrovich from TCU shared with us the vision behind True Worth Place.

The vision behind True Worth Place is stated right there in the name: GIVING THE MARGINALIZED: TRUE WORTH.

Dr. James Petrovich shared with us a vision to collaborate with the community, especially entrepreneurs. They're even building a commercial kitchen, dreaming of ways to allow start-ups to use the space as a food commissary to prepare food for local start-ups using food trucks across the city. Empowering and collaborating with them in hopes it sparks possible job leads for the people True Worth works with daily.

The idea to is bring everyone to the table using their gifts and strengths in order to help empower and bring dignity back to those who have forgotten who they truly are. We really all have true worth!

Now that's a City:SHAPERS venture if I've ever seen one! All for the common good of the city.

BREWED's mission is to Serve People, Bless the City and Impact the World.

Yesterday, with the help of the Fairmount Neighborhood Association, City:SHAPERS, Rahr, Curtis Needs a Ride and so many local sluggers, we were able to live our mission.

Local vendors, coffee and beer lovers and so many neighbors all gathers in the Fairmount Park to build community and raise funds for the Fairmount Community Library.

The main attraction, besides all the great food and drinks, was the Wiffle Ball game between Coffee and Beer. The teams were made up of several local coffee and beer employees, along with a few local liquid lovers.

The game went 7 innings with lots of twist and turns, but in the end, the Bean Monsters pulled out the win.

It truly was a special day in the Fairmount Park! One that represented a community banning together to having fun, make new friends and raise a glass for a great cause.

Cheers to ALL that made BREWED Fest a day to remember!

Joey Turner

COFFEE TEAM: THE BEAN MONSTERS BEER TEAM: THE BEER BATTERS

TRUST PRINTSHOP CREATED SOME AMAZING T-SHIRTS FOR BOTH ADDICTIONS!

FREDDIE JONES PLAYED THE NATIONAL ANTHEM. (Freddie also plays for every home Dallas Cowboy game)

ANN ZADEH OUR LOCAL COUNCIL MEMBER THREW OUT THE FIRST PITCH.

ANN THREW IT HOME LIKE A CHAMP!

THE EMCEES FOR THE GAME WERE THE AMAZING EMPROV GROUP CURTIS NEEDS A RIDE.